OPERATIVE TREATMENT OF PARTIAL RUPTURE OF THE PATELLAR LIGAMENT - A STUDY OF 138 CASES

One hundred and thirty eight knees of 124 patients with partial ruptur e of the patellar ligament were treated surgically after failure to he al them by conservative means. Ultrasonography was used to confirm the diagnosis in 45 knees, and when positive it had a good correlation wi th the operative findings. During surgery excision of the devitalized tissue in the patellar tendon was performed. Histologic examination of the removed tissue revealed degenerated, fibrotic tissue with neo-vas cularization, and slight to moderate inflammation resembling devitaliz ed tissue. The patients were re-examined 18.6 +/- 15.0 months post-ope ratively. Ninety-seven patients (111 knees = 80.4 %) benefitted from t he operation with excellent or good results. Thirteen knees had to be re-operated with more radical excision due to renewed symptoms. In con clusion, surgical excision of the devitalized tissue gives a good func tional result in most of the cases in which non-operative treatment wi th rest and physical treatment has failed, helping the athlete to retu rn to his pre-injury activities.